urbanstone hits the bottle...

or rather I'm hitting the wine label :)

A cafe in Bronte is putting out a small run of its own wine, and is using one of the urbanstone photos for the Botrytis Semillon label (pictured left). I think I'll have to check with my culinary consultant Prof Crawford as to what goes with such a sweet wine as this one?

Regardless, this is definitely a lucrative side-trade I'll be very happy to develop. If I could just figure out what photos would be in demand for a good shiraz label from N-E Victoria? Hmmm...

what's in my coffee?

Great article - interesting movie. Hope it makes it to Australia. Read the article all the way through - nothing is ever as simple as it seems.

"Bean counting

50 Number of countries where coffee is grown.

2bn Number of cups of coffee consumed each day.

42 Number of beans needed to make one espresso.

80-140 Milligrams of caffeine per cup.

£40bn Amount generated by annual sales.

3 cents Amount received by an average coffee farmer for a $3 cup of coffee."

Hoodoo broken

The 'woods finally break their 12 year run of losses at the Gabbatoir - despite the best efforts of the white maggots. Beating Brisvane in Brisbane must be one of the greatest feelings in footy (other than a GF or beating "pigs-arse" Carlscum). Like an oasis after 12 longs years of denial, last night would have been magical - unless your name was Bootsy, and at 3 quarter time the call comes through that your daughter is ill and needs you now! Dave your reward must be great in heaven for resuming fatherly duties - or atleast, write this one down for the history books. So that when we're in our 60's at the MCG, Beth knows that she needs to come and ferry us home again - singing victoriously all the way of course.

Junmo

Junmo, originally uploaded by urbanstone.

Reconciliation service at college - Junmo reading, with Pearl (Our aboriginal elder) and Anita (Lecturer in theology and liturgy) behind.

Sydney Film Festival

Yes, the Sydney Film Festival is back again and it looks like an impressive line up of styles and genres. Everything from a "behind the scenes with Pixar animators", a cluster from contemporary Turkey, a doco on Australian hip hop that I'm very keen to see, and a cracker from Samuel L. Jackson. Plenty to see - even for fans of the Bruckheimer style (ronaldo? rossy?) - so hop to it and see something different.

BTW I'm definitely going to see "Words from the city" on June 22nd, so anyone wanting to join our little group is most welcome.

winged critter

winged critter, originally uploaded by urbanstone.

"Can we hold the cup of life in our hands? Can we lift it for others to see, and can we drink it down to the full?" - Henri Nouwen

the godfather of soul

For those of you with a love of all things funky (yes, bootsy I'm looking at you), then this is a must. Solid Steel is a record label/radio station/podcasting outfit from the UK that puts out a podcast every fortnight of some emerging DJ's mixing up some great music. The latest one from solid Steel regular DK is a James Brown tribute and is an absolute gem.

So, either download Solid Steel podcast #56 from iTunes (it's free!), or visit the Solid Steel website and hunt around for the DK "James Brown" mix.

Myall Lakes

A couple of days exploring Myall Lakes with Larissa - even ventured out canoeing with the camera (great fun, certainly made me concentrate on staying afloat a helluva lot more!)

Dark Point with its incredible sand dunes was a highlight. Never seen anything like it before.

Ros and Tony's Wedding

Congrats to Ros and Tony. A fantastic day out on the lake at Toukley (April 7th). Plus a whole lot of fun to tag team with fellow urbanstone artist - Jackson (ably assisted as always by Ms Clarkson and young Henry) - for official photos on the day. You can see the photos over at our smugmug site here.

new amon tobin

easter postcards

Cheryl, who's been working with prison inmates in Victoria, has prepared some postcards to be handed out on Easter Saturday.

They are absolutely brilliant.

Go here to see them and read the story.

black is the colour

thank you Matt

one of the songs that changed my life

Vote David Out

via Jimmy

waiting

"The greatest proof of Christianity for others is not how far a man can logically analyze his reasons for believing, but how far in practice he will stake his life on his belief"

- T.S. Eliot

reflections from the pool

photos, war and story telling

Thanks to Kent for pointing out this SMH article on the role of photography, storytelling and truth. The shot won the World Press Photo of the year and is set in Beirut. There's been quite a controversy over questioning which story the photo is telling - tourists amidst the wreckage of war; or people returning home? Do they fit they fit our stereotype of what war victims should look like?

It raises so many questions about journalism, war and our consumption of images (which the SMH article points to). For me though the question raised is about the nature of photography and storytelling. Photography at its best is evocative and suggestive. It is never definitive - even when it first appears to be. Unlike a lot of mainstream media, photography should raise the possibility of story, allowing the viewer to recreate it within their own minds - with multiple possibilities extending out from the emotions and reactions brought forth.

See Mark's blog for some further thoughts.

Restoring the Primacy of Reason in an Age of Fundamentalism

Barry Jones is a fascinating figure - quiz show champ, Federal Minister for Science in the Hawke government, and Australian national treasure. Recently he gave the eighth annual Manning Clark lecture, entitled "Restoring the Primacy of Reason in an Age of Fundamentalism". Now maybe a lecture doesn't sound like your thing. But let me encourage you to listen - this is one of the most inspiring and intelligent reflections upon our times that I have heard.

You can download it from ABC Radio National site here or it is available as a podcast on iTunes, also listed under ABC Radio National.